Kraków

Kraków the capital of Malopolskie Region

Małopolska is situated in the central-southern part of the country. In terms of the level of economic development, the Region is one of the most diversified in Poland. Strongly developed here are the following sectors: electromechanical, chemical, biotechnological, high-tech, automotive, IT services and BPO / SSC / IT and ICT.

Krakow is called the “Second Rome” – due to the large number of churches, sanctuaries and tombs of saints and blessed. It is a significant center of religious tourism, both nationally and internationally. The Wawel Royal Castle with the Wawel Hill is one of the places of greatest historical and cultural importance in Poland. A centuries-old seat of kings and a symbol of Polish statehood.

Krakow is a place where about 100 festivals and other international events take place every year. The city is one of the most academic cities in Poland, led by the Jagiellonian University. It is a Polish public university, one of the oldest universities in the world – founded in 1364. The Jagiellonian University is the second oldest university in Central Europe and occupies an important place on the academic map of the world. One of the most popular symbols of Krakow is obwarzanek which  is a kind of Polish bagel.

Kraków in the rankings: ​

  • Krakow was among the most popular European travel destinations in 2022 according to the latest Travelers' Choice 2022 ranking, organized by TripAdvisor
  • 1st place in the „Business friendliness” category and 2nd position in the ‘Human capital and lifestyle” category in the fDi's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23 ranking
  • Krakow is among the most technologically advanced "cities of the future". The international ranking "Top 25 Tech Cities of the Future 2020/2021" was prepared by the prestigious fDi Magazine
  • Krakow is among the 15 best tourist cities in Europe according to the readers of the American magazine "Travel + Leisure"
  • Jagiellonian University is on the list of the best universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings - one of the most recognizable and prestigious reports evaluating universities

Tourist attraction:​

  • Małopolska is a region full of historic and impressive buildings: medieval mansions, classicist palaces, gothic and romanesque basilicas, monumental castles, ruins of medieval fortresses and magnate mansions
  • The Wawel Royal Castle is one of the most famous European monuments and one of the two most important and largest castles in Poland - https://wawel.krakow.pl/en
  • "Wieliczka" Salt Mine - a priceless monument of material culture of the world, entered in 1978 on the First UNESCO Heritage List
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • The Wooden Architecture Trail in Małopolska includes more than secular and sacred buildings - historic churches, churches, manors, villas and open-air museums located in Małopolska. It is a total of 255 buildings, 8 of which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
  • Małopolska has the largest number of national parks (caves that can be visited) in Poland and two world biosphere reserves , 55% of the area of Małopolska under nature protection contains over half of all species of plants and animals occurring in Poland
  • The network of 8 VeloMałopolska routes has been designed to reach every region of Małopolska
  • Amazing museums in Krakow: Live Obwarzanek Museum - offers hour-long workshops (also in English), with an educational and practical part / Czartoryski Museum in Krakow - where you can see the painting Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci / Polish Aviation Museum / Tatra Mountain Museum in Zakopane - Underground Market in Krakow - the Underground Museum is a real treasury of knowledge about Krakow's past - Old Synagogue in Krakow / Pharmacy Museum of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow / National Museum in Krakow / Vistula Ethnographic Park / Here you will find information on all museums and lists of exhibits digitized in museums - https://muzea.malopolska.pl/

Annual cultural events, festivals, concerts: ​

  • Film Music Festival in Krakow - one of the most important film music festivals in the world, monumental music and film shows distinguished by innovation in the field of sound and image technology. The most prominent authors and composers will visit the festival
  • Highlander Carnival in Bukowina Tatrzańska - is the largest folk event of this type in Poland. Its main core is a competition of carol singing groups, which cultivates and popularizes traditional customs and rituals related to the period of Christmas and New Year
  • Wianki festival - celebration of the ancient, pagan custom of throwing woven wreaths over the Vistula River, accompanied by outdoor concerts held simultaneously throughout the night in several city squares
  • Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow - is the world's largest presentation of contemporary Jewish culture from around the world
  • Summer Music Festival in Wieliczka - is a series of concerts presenting various genres of music: classical, instrumental, vocal, opera, operetta, musical, actors' songs, instrumental recitals and orchestral music.
  • Kraków Live Festival
  • - Baroque Explorations - this is a series of international events that play an outstanding culture-forming role in its region, presenting and popularizing Baroque music and art.

More tourist attraction you can find here: https://visitmalopolska.pl/en_GB/homepage